Shorthand-machine.



W. S. IRELAND.

SHORTHAND MACHINE.

APPLICATION mgo MAY19, 1911.

Patented Mar. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. S. IRELAND.

SHORTHAND MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 191/.

1,296, 192. Patented Mar. 4,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. S. IRELAND.

SHORTHAND MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1917.

Patented Mar. 4, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 shorthand machines.

' citizen of the United WARD S. IRELAND, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI,ASSIGNOB TO NATIONAL SHOBTHAIID MAGHIDTE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS,MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SHOBTHAND-MAGHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed ma 19, 1917. Serial no. 169,621.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARD S. IRELAND, a States of America, a resident ofthe city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in shorthand-Machines, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in shorthand machines, and moreparticularly to feeding devices adapted for use in One of the most imortant considerations in the manufacture of machines of this kind is theelimination of clicking sounds, noisy hammer blows and the like. Thefeeding devices actuated by the universal bar should move silently andpositively in response to the key movements, and my object is toaccomplish both of these important results by means of a strong, simpleand inexpensive combination of elements.

In the preferred form of the invention, the paper feeding deviceincludes a clutch through which motion is transmitttd from a universalbar. The drive member of the clutch is oscillated by the universal bar,and the driven clutch member rotates in one direction in response to theoscillatory movements of the drive member. When theoscillatory drivemember turns in one direction, motion is positively transmitted to thedriven clutch member, thereby accurately feeding the paper a fixedpredetermined distance, and during its return stroke the drive membermoves idly and silently, without transmitting motion to the drivenclutch member.

Another object is to produce a simple and I preferably fed by means ofview the'invention comprises the novel con? struction, combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described andillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown the preferredembodiment of the invention however, it is, to be understood that theinvention compre-.

Fig. II is a transverse section onthe line IIII, Fig.1.

Fig. III is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section, showing thekey actuated universal bar and the paper feeding device driven thereby.

Fig. IV is alongitudinal section showing a paper feeding roll providedwith clutches at its ends.

Fig. V is a section on line VV, of Fig. IV, showing the retainingclutch.

' is an enlarged section on line FiggqVI VI- Fig. IV, showing the driveclutch.

Fig. VII is an enlarged fra entary section showing the paper feedingrolls and the printing elements.

-Fig. VIII is a detail view showing one Patented Mar. 4,1919.

of the adjustable bearings .and the latch whereby one of the .feed rollsis detachably secured thereto.

Fig. IX is a vertical section taken approximately on the line IX-JX,Fig. VIII.

Fig. X is a detail view of the other adjustable bearing.

Fig-XI. is a vertical section taken approximately on a line XI-XI, Fig.X.

Fig. XII is a detail view of one ofthe adjustable bearings.

To illustrate the invention I have shown a short-hand machine providedwith key levers 1 pivotally supported by a pivot rod 2, each key leverhaving an upturned printing hammer 3 at its rear end. Ty e characters 4are formed on the bottom ace of a type bar 5. 6 designates an inkingribbon passing between the printing hammers and the type characters. Thestrip of paper. 7 unwinds from a supply'roll 8 and travels downwardly tothe transverse rod or roller 9, thence upwardly and over a paper feedingroll 10, downwardly throu h an inclined guidewa 11, and rearwar y to anopenmg at t e rear of the machine.

The keys may be operated independently of each other, and several keysmay be operated simultaneously to print a line of characters, as is wellunderstood in this art. When a key is depressed its printing ham- 'mer 3moves upwardly to force the paper 7 onto the inking ribbon 6, at thesame time forcing the ribbononto the type. 12 designates restoringsprings which normally retain the key levers in the positions shown inthe drawings,

The paper guide 11 extends downwardly and rearwardly from the paperfeeding depaper guide 11 to the horizontal guide plate 13 which deflectsthe paper rearwardly between the ribbon and printing hammers. Thehorizontal plate 13 supports the paper near the printing hammers, and itcotiperates with the inking ribbon 6 to form a guideway for the paper.

v The paper feeding device includes the rotary feed roll 10 having alarge gear wheel 15 which meshes with a smaller gear wheel 16, thelatter being small feed roll'1 7. The large feed roll 10 is driventhrough the medium of a. universal bar and a clutch, as will behereinafter described, and motion is transmitted from the gear wheel 15to the smaller gear wheel 16. The movements of the paper feeding rollsare thus synchronized, both rolls turning simultaneously to positivelyfeed thepapen' The feed rolls differ in diameter but to obtain thedesired feeding action, the pitch diameter of each gear wheel is equalto the diameter of the feed roll to which it is secured. Both feedrolls, therefore, turn at the same peripheral speed.

The feed roll 17 is detachably secured to the machine so that it may bereadily removed to allow the operator to insert the paper by handthrough the guide 11. Long journalslS, extending from the ends of thefeed roll 17, are rotatably mounted in bearings 19 and 19, the bearing19' having a circular opening in which one of the journals 18 isrotatably mounted (Fig. X), and the bearing 19 being a substantially L-shaped device having an elongated opening 20 (Figs. VIII and XII) forthe reception of the other journal. The elongated journal-receivingopening 20 is open at the top of the bearing 19, as shown most clearlysecured to a relatively Figs'VII to X in Fig. XILso that one of thejournals 18 may be readily insertedinto said opening after the otherjournal 18 has been inserted into the bearing 19". An arcuate face 21(Fig. XII) at the bottom of the opening- 20, forms a seat for one of thejournals 18.

When the journals 18 are. properly fitted to.

the bearings 19 and 19, they are detachably secured by means of a latch22 which engages one of the journals 18 to secure it in the bearing 19,as shown most clearly in Fig. VIII. The lower end of the latch 22 ispivotally connected to the bearing 19. by

means of a pivot pin 23. 24 vdesignates a. spring connecting the latch22 to the hear-- ing 19, so as to yieldingly force said latch intoengagement with the journal 18 WlllOh lies in the recess 20. This latch22has a hook shaped upper end (Fig. VIII) provided with a semi-circularface which enfrom the bearing 19, and said feed roll may also be movedlongitudinally ofits; axis to withdraw the other journal 18 from thecircular opening in the bearing 19. It will be observed that the feedroll 17 may be very easily detached from and replaxred in its bearings19 and 19.

The bearings 19 and 19' are pivoted at 26 and 26 respectively, and theymay be adjusted about the axes of their! respective pivots to force thefeed roll 17 toward the larger feed roll 10, the means for adjusting thebearings bein shown most clearly in inclusive. Each of the bearings isprovided with an elongated opening for the reception of a cam oreccentric 27 having a non-circular portion 28 to which a wrench may beapplied for the purpose of turning the eccentric. Each eccentric 27 is.rotatably mounted on a clamping screw 29. Ai ter the desired adjustmenthas been obtained the eccentrics are locked by tightening the clampingscrews 29, thus securing the feed roll 17 in the operative position.

to which it has been adjusted. It will be observed that the feed roll 17may be readily removed from the machine and afterward replaced in itsoperative position without in any way changing the adjustment of thebearings.

The adjustable eccentric 27 associated with the bearing 19 (Fig. VIII)is closely fitted to the top and bottom walls of the opening in which itis mounted, so as to firmly secure the bearing 19 in the position .towhich it is adjusted. The other eccentric 27 (Fig. X) is not closelyfitted to the top and bottom Walls of the opening in which with servesas a stop i cent eccentric 27,

for maccuracies in the long journals 18,

- eccentriclike movement, and

on the top face of a. is mounted, the barin -19' being seated saideccentric, and the bottom wall of said opening being separated from thebottom face of-said eccentric. The

19 (Fig. X) free to oscillate a slight distance about the axis of itspivot 26, and the eccentric 27 associated therefor limiting the downwardmovement of said bearing. 19 (Figs. III and X) tends to retain thebearing 19 in engagement with the top face of eccentric 27. are properlytact will be obtained betweenlthe feed rolls and the pa' r. The spring19 (Figs. Ill and X) tending to retain the bearing 19 m engagement withthe top face of the adjawill yield to compensate thus maintaining thepaper in firm engagement with both feed rolls. The eccentrlc 27 (Fig. X)which limits the downward movement of the bearing 19' prevent the smallfeed roll from sinking too deeply in the large feed roll. The longjournals 18, mounted in the adjustable bearings 19, and 19, are formedby a long rod or shaft which passes through the small feed roll 17, andactual practice has shown that the rods obtainable for this purpose arenot absolutely. strai ht. As ,a consequence, the small feed ro 17partakes of an irregular if the long journals 18 were mountedin -fixedbearings the small feed roll would not always firmly engage the paper.journals 18"n one fixed bearing 19 and one yielding bearing 19', asherein shown, the

spring 19 will allow the small feed roll partake of an irregulareccentric yield and movement, therebycompensating for the maccuraciesdueto a slight bend in'the long rod which forms the journals 18; at thesame time constantly maintaining the necessary firm contact atthe'paper, and also preventing the small feed. roll-from sinking toodeeply in the large feed roll. 1

- I will now describe the universal bar and the clutch through'whichmotion is transmitted from the key levers to the rotary feed roll 10.The universal bar 30, arranged over the key levers, is connected to thepivot rod 2 by means of a pair of approximately horizontal arms 31, thebar 30 bein' free to move about the'axis of. the rod 2'. arm 32 extendinupwardly from one of the arms 31 is notc ed at lts upper end to receivea-pin 33 pro ecting from an oscillatory clutch member A (Figs. III, IVand The universal bar, or universal frame is thus loosely interlockedwith the oscillatory clutch member. This clutch member is mounted ontheshaft 34 to which the feed roll 10 is secured. A rotary driven clutchmember B, fixed to the feed roll 10 and shaft members A and B, as shownin Fig.

A spring When both eccentrics 27. adjusted, the desired-firm condrivemember and the circular inner By mounting the long 34 is provided withan annular flange 36 forming a pocket for the oscillatory driye memberA. he peripheral face of the oscillatory drive member A is recessed toform wedge-shaped spaces 37 between the cluticii Transmission members38, preferably in the form'of small rollers, are mounted in thewedgeshaped spaces between the clutchmembers A and B. The driven clutchmember B has a smooth circular face forming a seat for the transmissionmembers 38, and the oscillatory member A is provided with angular seats39 to which said transmission members are fitted'.- Spring pressedpluntransmission members 38 toward the restricted points in the wedgeshaped spaces 37. When the oscillatory drive member A turns in thedirection indicated by the arrow in Fig. VI, the'transmission rollers 38are placed under compression and firmly gripped between f are theangular seats 39 on the.

of the driven member B. In other words,

the transmission rollers 38 are frictionally gripped in the wedge shapedspaces 37 to .provide for the transmission of movement to the rollerrotary driven member B. The

spring pressed plungers 40 constantly maintain the transmission rollers38 in engagement with both of the clutch members A and B, so that thedriven member B will respondinstantly to the operative movement of thedrive member A. The movement of the driven member is absolutelypositive, the transmission rollers 38 belng constantly forced intoengagement with both clutch, members, and when the drive member A turnsin the "direction indicated by the arrow (Fig;-VI)

bers are more firmly wedged between the clutch members. I

During the return stroke of the drive member A,

out transmitting movement to the drive member B. At this time, thetransmission rollers 38 tend to move into relatively wide pontionsspaces 37, and smooth circular inner face ofthe member B. It will beobserved that the various'clutch members perform their functionssilently,

all of thetransmission memj I it turns in a direction opposite to' thatindicated by the arrow in Fig. VLwithofthe wedge-shaped pockets or thenmove freely on the.

without causing clicking sounds, noisy hammer blows or any other noise.

The universal bar is oscillated during each key operation, and ittransmits an oscillatory movement to the drive clutch member A, therebycausing the rotary driven clutch member B to actuate the paper feedingrolls. The universal bar 30 is moved upwardly by the key levers andrestored by a spring 43 (Figs. I and VII The movements of the key leversare limited by the type 4, and the universal bar, therefore, moves afixed predetermined distance during each key eraversal bar, it will beapparent that the pa er under compression an 1 firmly gripped be- 5tween the clutch members, so as to positively tion. Since the frictionclutch respon s in-.

stantly' to the operative strokes of 'theunishaped spaces between thestationary clutch.

member A and a flange 36 on. the rotary clutch member. The springsconstantly maintain the retainin rollers 38' in engagement with bothclutc members A, and B.

and said rollers. yield freely to allow the rota clutch-member and feedroll 10 to turn in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. V. If aneffort is made to reverse the dlrection of movement, the retainingrollers 38 tending to move toward'the points of the wedge-shaped s aceswill be placed prevent such retrograde movement. While I have shownthree retaining rollers 38 and three transmission rollers 38, it will beobserved that any desired number of these elements may be utilized inthe clutches.

Theprinting elements grip the paper immediately before the paper feedingoperation is completed, and if the paper was positively pulled whilegripped by the printing elements, it is apparent that the printed matterwould be blurred or the paper would be unduly strained. To overcome thisI pull the paper from the supply roll and push it to the printingelements. The paper feeding device is arranged between the supply roll 8and the printing elements. When the printing elements grip the paper,the print-- device is actuated by the keys, but the paper' ing keyscontinue in motion to obtain the required pressure at the type, andduring this continued movement the paper feeding is merely pushed andpermitted to bend slightly in the guideway' 11, without blurring theprinted matter and without tearing or otherwise straining the paper.

I claim v 1. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a key actuateduniversal bar, and

I feeding device including a friction clutch throughv which motion istransmitted from said universal bar, said friction clutch comprising'adrive member loosely interlocked with and operated bythe universal bar,a

rotary driven'member adjacent to said drive member, a wedge-shaped spacebeing formed between said drive member and driven member, and atransmission member seated in said wedge-shaped space, said transmissionmember being wedged between and firmly gripped by said drive member-anddriven.

member when the drive meinber turns in one direction and the drivemember bei to turn in the opposite direction without trasmittingmovement to said driven member. v

2.'A typewriting machine having .key levers, a universal bar operatedbysaid key levers, and a feeding device including a free friction.clutch through which motion transmitted from said universal bar, saidfriction clutch comprising a rotary driven clutch member, an oscillatorydrive -mem-- ber movable about the axis of said rotary driven member,said oscillatory drive mem ber having a projection and the universalbarbeing provided with an operating arm loosely interlocked with saidprojection, and a transmission member arranged to be frictionallygripped by said drive member anddriven member in response to theoperative movements of said drive member, said transmission member beingfree to yield without transmitting movement when the drive member turnsin one direction.

3. A shorthand machine. having key .ac-

tuated paper feeding rolls, bearings in which one of said rolls isrotatably mounted,

pivotal supports for said bearings, and

means for adjusting said bearings about their pivots to force the lastmentioned roll toward the other roll, said means including eccentricsfitted to said bearings, and

a spring cotip'erating with one of saidbea'rmgs to yieldingly retain itin engagement with its eccentric, the other bearing being engaged withdiametrically opposite faces of its eccentric. I v Y 4. A shorthandmachine having key actuated paper feeding rolls, bearings in which 1 oneof said rolls is rotatably mounted, pivotal supports for said bearings,means for 7 adjusting said bearings about their pivots to force the lastmentioned roll toward the other roll, said means including eccentricsfitted to said bearings, and a spring coiiperating with one of saidbearings to yieldingly retain it in engagement with its eocentrio, theother bearing being engaged with diametrically opposite faces of itseccentric, and clam screws for retaining said eccentrics in t epositions to which they are adjusted.

5. A typewritin machine having key actuated paper fee ing rolls,bearings supporting one of said rolls, means for adjusting said bearingsto force the last mentioned roll toward the other roll, and a latchdevice detachably securing the adjustable roll to said bearings, saidlatch device being carried by one of said adjustable bearings to allowthe adjustable roll to be readily removed and replaced without changingthe adjustment of the bearings.

6. A typewriting machine having key actuated paper feeding rolls, gearwheels secured to the respective rolls, said gear wheels being in meshwith each other so as to synchronize the movement of the rolls, a fixedbearing in which one end of one of the rolls is mounted, and a yieldablebearing in which the opposite end of the last mentionel roll is mounted.

7. A typewriting 'machine having key actuatedpaper feeding rolls, gearwheels secured the respective rolls, said gear wheelsbeing n mesh witheach other so as to synchronize the movement of the rolls, a fixedbearing in which one end of one of the rolls is mounted, and a yieldablebearing in which the opposite end of the last mentioned roll is mounted,said fixed bearing being adjacent to said ear wheels. 7

8. A short and, machine having a paper feeding device, a paper guideextending downwardly from said paper feeding device,

a rearwardly extending paper guide forming a continuation of the firstmentioned paper guide, and opposing print' elementsarranged to engagethe paper a r it reaches said rearwardly extending paper guide.

9. A shorthand machine having printing elements including an inkingribbon and printing hammers below said ribbon, a paper feeding devicefor feeding a strip of paper between said ribbon and printing hammers,and a guide plate for the paper arranged below said ribbon, said guideplate having an opening through which the printing hammers can beprojected to engage the paper and said guide plate being arrangedopposite to and separated from the ribbon so as to cofiperate therewithin forming a guide for the paper.

10. A feeding device including two rotary feed rolls cooperating witheach other to feed the paper, a fixed bearing for one end of one of saidrolls, a -yieldable bearing for the other end of the last mentionedroll, and a spring associated with said yieldable hearing to force thelast mentioned roll toward the other roll, thereby maintaining bothrolls in firm engagement with the paper.

WARD s. IRELAND.

shorthand machine having a paper'

